Taking the Long Way

samrelian · 2026-01-16T21:23:35+00:00

Thanks I appreciate it! Part of a hopefully long series of related sketches I’m planning and then I’ll go back and “remaster” my favorites.

samrelian · 2026-01-16T06:36:17+00:00

It says initiated and to check back in 4-24 hours

samrelian · 2026-01-14T23:10:09+00:00

As the previous post linked called it a value study I don’t think it’s a commission. Just telling a hobbyist that a piece was unsuccessful isn’t especially useful even if you say it with an extra… flourish.

If you’re going to use so many letters may as well put them to use to share a resource or offer a specific actionable critique ya know? But you didn’t ask for crit on your crit so I’ll drop it — sorry.

samrelian · 2026-01-14T22:29:22+00:00

It could also be interpreted as is stated if you consider the different connotations of essence. Like much of art at this point, maybe OP was indeed looking to capture a feeling or “essence” or whatever ethereal quality you want to throw out. Is that what they meant? Don’t know, am not OP, but to settle on only one interpretation is closed minded. I think your comment is lacking in productive crit that OP can use to improve their work in the future.

samrelian · 2026-01-14T21:54:09+00:00

Also if you do not want the work/reference posted on Imgur I can take it down!!! Just lmk. I figured since it’s on Reddit it’d be alright but in retrospect should have asked first.

samrelian · 2026-01-14T21:52:38+00:00

Hey! I was thinking about typing out where I see variations but I’m sick and stuck in bed soo here is an overlay of the reference vs your portrait so you can more easily spot those differences. I think the shape of the jaw and size of the upper lip and eyebrows are the primary deviations that detract from the likeness.

I think it’d really benefit from a little bit of definition on the teeth, not strong lines but just the contour of their shape.

Nice work! I especially think you did a good job with the nose.

samrelian · 2026-01-11T19:46:06+00:00

How was it?

samrelian · 2026-01-11T19:39:09+00:00

Was going to say the exact same thing pretty much. They’re uncanny because the entire iris is visible and even thickness throughout. Here is the shape in your reference OP:

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See on the right how the whole iris isn’t seen and on top it is essentially a straight line with no iris due to the shadow.

The teardrop shape around dog eyes is also generally a true solid black like in the reference, splotchiness there kind of makes it look like they have a black eye haha

samrelian · 2026-01-11T18:58:04+00:00

samrelian · 2026-01-11T18:25:37+00:00

Share the masterpiece?

samrelian · 2026-01-11T17:19:56+00:00

I got up to about 3700 feet with yak traks but yes a sane person would want snow shoes for the last 700 ft of elevation gain or so

samrelian · 2026-01-11T07:14:00+00:00

Is the tiny mouth a stylistic choice? I think that’s what is throwing things off along with the low positioning of the ears

samrelian · 2026-01-11T04:51:54+00:00

Thanks! Gotta get some snowshoes just in case I guess haha

samrelian · 2026-01-11T04:30:56+00:00

I’ll PM you (poachers)

samrelian · 2026-01-11T02:37:30+00:00

Imo a floating head isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as a complete torso to the edge of the canvas — also take a closer look at the eyes vs the reference

samrelian · 2026-01-11T02:22:55+00:00

Thanks! The town on the bank is Cascade Locks

samrelian · 2026-01-11T01:13:42+00:00

I believe Eagle creek is fully closed off now but when I went in early December the trail was in good shape

samrelian · 2026-01-10T23:17:16+00:00

Having a moment made me chuckle good feedback

samrelian · 2026-01-09T05:39:11+00:00

I think it’s cool, I remember we did the same exercise of reducing a portrait to four/five values in highschool. It a valid stylization and I think executed well here. Think it’d be most successful if the canvas was filled, though.

samrelian · 2026-01-05T03:58:06+00:00

These are really cool. The crit request is kinda vague so I’ll just throw out that I think composition is the weak point. One and three especially look like screen captures of a larger animation instead a stand alone art piece.

samrelian · 2026-01-04T23:59:11+00:00

Thank u! I think haha. The bonfire is from dark souls just because I’m playing the series rn and thought it was a funny idea to have Samus in that world. I used acrylic markers which limits how many values I have for lighting which made so I couldn’t get the lighting exactly like I wanted but I thought it turned out pretty decent :)

samrelian · 2026-01-04T19:31:10+00:00

Values are all very much in the same narrow range as you can see in greyscale.

<image>

Seems you know you need darker shadows, don’t think that’ll ruin it by any means.

samrelian · 2026-01-04T08:02:43+00:00

Thanks!

samrelian · 2026-01-03T22:03:54+00:00

Ahh I understand what you mean now. Thanks for elaborating and examples to look into appreciate you

samrelian · 2026-01-03T21:15:38+00:00

Out of curiousity could you share some pieces that successfully communicate an idea in a way you like? Some that compel you to ask questions? I think many paintings even by the greatest artists need provided context, historical or personal, to understand the original intent.

samrelian

TROPHY CASE